Calvados

🥃 A Taste of Fire & Orchard – The Legacy of Apple Brandy 🍏🔥

Just across the border from Mayenne lies Normandy — home of Calvados, the legendary apple brandy steeped in centuries of tradition, warmth, and myth.

Made from carefully fermented cider apples, Calvados is distilled twice in copper stills and then aged for years in oak barrels — a process that transforms humble orchard fruit into a golden, aromatic spirit with a rich, warming depth.

🍎 A Drink of History & Folklore:

The drink’s roots stretch back to the 16th century, with local farmers perfecting recipes handed down through generations. During WWII, Calvados was even used as a makeshift antiseptic and morale booster! In local lore, it’s said to cure everything from heartbreak to a winter chill — and is still sipped today as the classic "trou Normand", a small glass taken between courses to awaken the appetite.

🌿 Whether you explore a nearby distillery or enjoy a glass at the end of the day relaxing in your gîtes’ garden at sunset after a day of exploration, this bold regional spirit offers a true taste of northwestern France — heritage in a glass.

J’❤️LA MAYENNE...put a little fire in your heart